Last Friday night, most of Crestview High School's senior football players played their final game of sanctioned tackle football. And some time in the next few weeks, most of Baker School's seniors will play their final game.
A few players probably have a chance to play college football at some level, but the rest must reconcile themselves to the pickup game on a side lot somewhere or intramural flag football.
For years, the University of Tennessee celebrated seniors' final game with a ceremonial last tackle. The last tackle took place at the end of the final regular-season practice and was a tackle on a tackling dummy. The dummy would be wearing that week’s opponent, which was traditionally Kentucky or Vanderbilt.
Every senior got to take part in the last tackle, from the walk-on who never got to play in a game, to the starting quarterback. Each senior had his moment.
I always liked the tradition of the last tackle. That symbolic tackle represents closure for players who give so much to a game that is so physically and, at times, mentally demanding.
Most former football players never get the game out of their systems. Something about football challenges you in the heat of August and calls you on a cool Friday night — even 40 years after you played your last game.
As I’ve mentioned numerous times, I was backup football player for two years at Gulf Breeze High School. I appeared in four games, made one tackle, almost blocked a punt against Niceville and managed to lose my shoe on a play that went 50 yards.
My high school career by most standards was forgettable, but it was the only one I had, and I still cherish my time as a Dolphin. And all these years later, I still long for one more game — preferably against Milton — and one more tackle.
My best friend, Ken Hardy, was the first Gulf Breeze football player to receive a football scholarship. Ken played college football at Auburn University from 1976 to 1979. He had a few offers to try out for National Football League teams, but his body was so beat up he decided to move on to life after football.
A few years ago, Ken — along with his wife, Helen, and son Heath — and I were talking about being former football players. Heath, who was only a few years removed from his high school playing days, admitted that he missed it and I was quick to agree.
Helen then turned to Ken and said she had never heard him talk about missing playing, to which he replied, “I miss it every day, but talking about it won’t change things.”
I can assure every young man about to leave their football careers behind that life does go on without playing football.
Life can be full of seasons of change and excitement that brings challenges greater than any experienced while playing the game.
But football will always call and serve as a reminder of special days of youth.
Email News Bulletin Sports Editor Randy Dickson, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: SIDELINE OBSERVATIONS: A last game of football